Jenna Fischer shared that Christina Applegate was among the first she reached out to after her diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer. In an interview on the TODAY show, which aired Monday, Fischer discussed her battle with Stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer. The 50-year-old actress announced her diagnosis on October 8, stating that it was caught early through diagnostic imaging and that she is now cancer-free.
Fischer revealed that she immediately contacted Applegate after learning of her diagnosis, and Applegate provided support by connecting Fischer with other survivors. Recollecting their conversation, Fischer noted, “I called her, and she answered the phone, and she said, ‘Which one is it?’ And I said, ‘It’s breast cancer.’ And she said, ‘I effing knew it.’” Fischer appreciated Applegate’s straightforwardness, describing her as “salty” with a language style she loves.
In 2021, Applegate was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while filming the third season of her Netflix show “Dead to Me.” In an earlier post, she expressed gratitude for the support she received during her journey.
Fischer also discussed the significant support from her loved ones, including her best friend and “Office Ladies” podcast co-host Angela Kinsley, who helped keep Fischer’s diagnosis private to maintain a sense of normalcy while recording episodes. Fischer remarked on Kinsley’s unwavering support, saying she wanted to keep working and not reveal her health issue at work.
While undergoing chemotherapy, Fischer experienced hair loss and found humor in her situation, recalling her attempts at a creative comb-over. She also urged women to prioritize their health by scheduling routine mammograms, emphasizing the importance of early detection in her case.
“Please get all the extra screenings that the doctor wants you to get,” she advised, acknowledging that her own routine mammogram was crucial in detecting her cancer early.
Triple-positive breast cancer is characterized by being estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone receptor-positive, and HER2-positive. According to the National Cancer Institute, after skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American women. Breast cancer rates have been increasing steadily, particularly among women under 50.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are required to cover annual screening mammograms for women aged 40 and over. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended biennial mammogram screenings for women aged 40 to 74 with average risk for breast cancer.